Abarth 850 Scorpione

Vehicle Overview

The Abarth 850 Scorpione was a notable member of the Fiat-Abarth 750/850 series produced by the renowned Italian firm Abarth & C. during the 1950s and 1960s. These cars were renowned for their use of Fiat 600 chassis fitted with Abarth’s specially modified engines, offering enhanced performance and agility over their Fiat counterparts. Among the derivatives of the series were the Fiat-Abarth 850 and Fiat-Abarth 1000 models, each featuring variations in engine capacity and performance tuned by Abarth. The Abarth Monomille, powered by a 1000cc pushrod engine, was also part of this lineup, showcasing Abarth’s engineering prowess in developing high-performance variants. Abarth collaborated with various prestigious coachbuilders to create bespoke bodyworks for these models. Zagato, known for its lightweight and sporty designs, crafted bodies for some Abarth variants. In contrast, Allemano offered a more elegant and comfortable coupe model, albeit heavier and less focused on pure sporting characteristics compared to Zagato’s creations. The Abarth 850 Scorpione, despite its favorable reception, was produced in very limited numbers. Priced at $3,385 during its time, it competed directly with illustrious counterparts like the Porsche Speedster and Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider in terms of performance and market appeal. Historical records suggest that fewer than 200 units of the Abarth 850 Scorpione were built, emphasizing its rarity and exclusivity among automotive enthusiasts and collectors. According to “The Italian Car Registry” by John de Boer, which documents these iconic cars, fewer than 30 of the approximately 600 Abarth 750/850 GT cars listed were Allemano coupes. This statistic underscores the scarcity of the Allemano-bodied versions within the broader Fiat-Abarth 750/850 series, further enhancing their desirability and collector value today.

Photo courtesy of Hyman Ltd.